Gregory Messam (born 24 July 1973) is a Jamaican football defender.

Gregory Messam
Personal information
Full name Gregory Messam
Date of birth (1973-07-24) 24 July 1973 (age 50)
Place of birth Kingston, Jamaica
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996 Colorado Foxes
1997–1998 Harbour View F.C.
1998–2000 Richmond Kickers 45 (1)
2001 Toronto Lynx 13 (1)
2001–2004 Arnett Gardens F.C.
2004 Toronto Lynx 1 (0)
2004 Metro Lions
International career
1994–1998 Jamaica 43 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career edit

Nicknamed 'Skippy', the solid left-back played for local teams Arnett Gardens F.C. and Olympic Gardens F.C.,[1] and has played overseas for Richmond Kickers, then of the USA A-League.[2]

During 1996, Messam played for the Colorado Foxes[3] in the A-League, where he played alongside fellow Jamaican internationals Walter Boyd, Wolde Harris, Fabian Davis, and Anthony McCreath under the direction of head coach Lorne Donaldson. In 2001, he went north of the border to sign with the Toronto Lynx, and featured in 13 matches and recorded one goal.[4] After his stint in Toronto he returned to Jamaica to play with Arnett Gardens F.C.[5] After three seasons in Jamaica he returned to the Toronto Lynx in 2004, but was released after making a single appearance. After his release he signed with the Metro Lions of the Canadian Professional Soccer League.[6] During his tenure with the Lions he helped secure a postseason berth by finishing second in the Eastern Conference.[7]

International career edit

He made his debut as a substitute for the Reggae Boyz in 1995 against Canada and played his last international in 1998 against Trinidad & Tobago, collecting over 30 caps.[8] Messam was a regular starter at left wingback during the early rounds of Jamaica's successful World Cup qualifying effort in 1998.[3] He unfortunately was left out of Jamaica's 1998 FIFA World Cup squad in favour of Ricardo Gardner, but he was however allowed to accompany the team in France.

References edit

  1. ^ "Player Profile: Gregory Messam". Jamaican National Premier League. Archived from the original on 2 November 2006. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  2. ^ "Richmond Kickers rush to a 3-0 shutout of the MLS's Rapids". Soccer Times. 14 June 2000. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  3. ^ a b Mahoney, Ridge. "Reggae Boyz bring a new look". Soccer America, 3 October 1997. Retrieved on 5 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Gregory Messam | SoccerStats.us". soccerstats.us. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  5. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Gregory Messam". www.national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  6. ^ "CPSL - Canadian Professional Soccer League > Metro Lions". 19 October 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004. Retrieved 29 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ "September 30, 2004 CPSL Week 20 Standings (End of Regular Season)". www.rocketrobinsoccerintoronto.com. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Jamaica National team Player File: Reggae Boyz - GREGORY MESSAM". www.thereggaeboyz.com. Retrieved 29 October 2016.